Alliance to End Hunger Statement on Release of FY23 Omnibus Spending Package Including Greater Access to Child Nutrition in Summer
December 20, 2022
WASHINGTON (December 20, 2022) The following statement is attributed to Eric Mitchell, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Hunger.
“Congressional leadership has released an omnibus spending package that will help to significantly decrease childhood hunger during summer months. Chief among relevant provisions is the establishment of a permanent Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program (EBT) and increased “non-congregate” summer meal access for kids in rural and hard to reach communities. Historically, many kids who are eligible for free and reduced school meals during the school year have a difficult time accessing the food they need during summer months when school is closed. These provisions will help to narrow this feeding gap.
Expanding access to summer meals and a summer EBT program have been chief priorities for the Alliance to End Hunger and its broad coalition, and we are deeply encouraged to see that our advocacy efforts are paying off. We want to especially thank Senators Debbie Stabenow and John Boozman for working in a bipartisan way through this legislation to ensure that kids have the essential nutrition they need throughout the summer. We now urge Congress to pass this spending package without delay for the sake of our nation’s kids and families.”